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SAN JUAN ISLAND CRIME |
Related storiesMeth lab costs are more than financial Judge sets bail for meth lab suspects Meth Labs:Warning Signs, Dangers and Clean-up Costs | |
Meth lab costs are more than monetaryposted 09/11/01
"Worse than any money I lost," she said at the restitution hearing in San Juan County Superior Court Sept. 10. "is the risk caused to the children in that household." She read a statement in court quoting a May 13, 2001 New York Times article: "fumes produced in the cooking of the drug can destroy lung tissue and induce chemical pneumonia." She said exposure to toluene is known to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. "Penny exposed her two teenage daughters," she said. While Judge Vicki Churchill ordered $31,012.10 to be paid in restitution, Brooks said she has lost an additional $45,000 because the three San Juan Island residents operated a meth lab on her property. Her property which was up for sale at the time was devalued. She said Environmental Health Director Mark Tompkins' comment to the press that her property had lost $25,000 in value resulted in a lower selling price. Other costs which were not covered by insurance or by restitution are:
If Brooks can find proof that chemicals from meth lab operations can cause septic systems to fail, she can submit a claim to her insurance company. She has been searching the Internet trying to find scientific reports. Restitution ordered by Churchill includes:
Leonard Barnhouse, Penny Barnhouse and Travis Steckler are all responsible for that total. Penny and Steckler are also responsible for an additional $3,300 in lost rental income. Penny must pay not less than $50 per month. Steckler must pay $100 per month. Leonard's payment schedule will be set after he is released from prison. More information about meth lab cleanup is available Washington Public Health Web site. |
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